It's a game of restraint, but with some brutal sucker punches; the tale of a one-man cowboy army who is nothing without the people around him. It's a game about the fear of the future that reaches astounding new technical heights, and makes Rockstar's previous games look and feel like ancient history. It's a resounding triumph to which there is only one reasonable response - and an appropriate one, too. Hats off. [Christmas 2018, p.104]

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a triumphant open world experience that has plenty of engaging content in terms of whacky activities and side quests, while all the same while delivering constant cinematic and believable human drama. This is so much more than «just a cowboy game» – it's a game whose many systems and rich universe feel quite unlike anything else.

Without being groundbreaking or revolutionary, Red Dead Redemption 2 does almost everything perfect. The level of polishing and the amount of content makes its “the beauty” and “the beast” at the same time. No matter what you decide to do in Red Dead Redemption 2, it's impossible not to notice the amazing level of detail.

Rockstar has done it again. Red Dead Redemption 2 has surpassed all the reference titles of its genre, becoming a masterpiece of video games. A title that marks a before and after in how the effort and dedication of a studio are able to take a generation of consoles to a new exponent, demonstrating that excellence is only reserved for a select few. If you like to get lost in an unforgettable world, this title is a must on your bookshelf.

Red Dead Redemption 2 will most likely be looked upon as a another title that pushed what can be done in an open world, and be marked as one the developer’s most crowning achievements in their long history making video games.

It is an incredible achievement in open world gaming, an intricate machine that disguises its machinery better than just about anything else that's come before. In addition to its lengthy and engrossing campaign, it delivers moments of emergent storytelling more compelling than anything I can ever remember playing. Graphically and aurally, it is top-to-bottom stunning.

Imagine an arthouse movie with summer blockbuster production values, as if Terrence Malick had been given a Star Wars movie. Imagine if Ubisoft had made Gone Home. Like Arthur Morgan himself, Red Dead Redemption 2 is meditative, laconic, a slow burn, drawn out and unhurried, sometimes even morose, more concerned with characters than spectacle. Let us go then, it suggests.

There is a constant question as to whether or not games are art. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a game that is going to be used as evidence for that argument from here on out. It is quite likely everything people who played Red Dead Redemption would want or need it to be. This game is, at times, a power fantasy that allows people to give in to baser instincts and revel in chaos. It is also an examination of honor and morality in a man who is callous and hardened. There are even times when it explores and embraces downtime in the same way a Studio Ghibli does, practically begging players to savor the vistas, watch wildlife, and enjoy the ride.

There can be no doubt that this is a landmark game. It is a new high water-mark for lifelike video game worlds, certainly, but that world is also home to a narrative portrait of the wild west that is unexpectedly sombre and not afraid to take its time.

If only I could give Red Dead Redemption 2 a higher score that 10, I would. This is by far the best open-world game that has ever graced the face of Earth. No other sandbox can even dream of holding a candle to Rockstar's newest gun-blazing, incredibly detailed Western epic. I envy all of you, who are yet to embark upon this fantastic journey and discover all the secrets this game holds. Truly, I could wipe my memory clean just to be able to experience that world once again. A true gem of the most noble kind.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is the game that I would like to keep playing for years. The wild west is marvelous and full of interesting events. The story is both solid and attractive. What's more, the interactive system makes a great progress and you can interact with nearly everyone in various ways, and it feels really real. RDR2 definitely will be one of the greatest video games of all time.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a magnificent open world game and one of the greatest games of all time. Its world offers unmatched attention to detail, the combat is excellent, and the story is among the best in a AAA game.

The new North Star for Open-world games. Details, narrative and basically everything, are impressive. With Red Dead Redemption 2 Western setting had its first real huge tribute since the golden age of the classic movies.

This is a powerhouse of a video game, one of the finest, built by people at the top of their game and under intense pressure, lest we forget. As it is, they remind us of what games can be, creating a majestic sense of place and time and allowing you to play your role in the way only this medium allows. So, if you’ll excuse me, I have another train to, er, ‘catch’.

A game of unparalleled scope and ambition, with breathtaking visuals, a broad-ranging but intimate story, and an incredible sense of identity and purpose, Red Dead Redemption 2 will go down as one of the greatest games of the generation, and perhaps video game history.

Rockstar launches the best video game in its history thus far. A titanic development for a first category product that presents a gigantic world, with an unprecedented depth and an interaction that marks a step forward in the electronic entertainment industry. Top notch.

There's a new sheriff in the open-world action game genre in town. Red Dead Redemption 2 is sure ambitious but it succeeds everywhere he travels: exploration, gunfights, stealth, main quest, characters, side quests, customization, acting, hunting, fishing... Name one element, it delivers. And it sure looks like one of the best looking games ever seen and has many secrets yet to be discovered. And so it can be considered as a masterpiece, an extraordinary, legendary game that we will talk about with sincere admiration for ages.

Red Dead Redemption 2 tests the boundaries of interactive immersion. Few games look this good, play this well, and have this much to offer. It begs you to slow down, turn every page of its dramatic tale, and savor every last breathtaking detail. It challenges you to be prepared for anything, and make the right decisions when your choices matter most. Arthur Morgan is the lead, but the world takes center stage to pull you in. With a list of challenges left to finish and an online mode launching soon, we plan to spend a lot more time in Rockstar’s unparalleled recreation of the old west.

Red Dead Redemption 2 takes everything that made the first so spectacular and elevates it to a new level. It boasts an enthralling story, coupled with rock solid gameplay, and is perhaps one of the best games ever made.

Red Dead Redemption 2 brings to life the most vivid, immersive and alive Game World we’ve ever seen. The realistic gameplay mechanics, the smooth interaction with the NPCs and the game’s atmosphere send the gaming value of this title sky high. No matter the hype, no matter the wait, no matter the promotion, this game gives back to the gamers the lost hundreds of hours of contemporary repetitive gaming. In RDR2, every hour is pure gold.

Red Dead Redemption 2’s elusive, mysterious quality may be just that… it feels like every character in it has a soul. Considering the number of people across Rockstar’s entire studio roster that poured their blood, sweat and tears into this game it is no wonder that it actually feels alive.

Red Dead Redemption 2 isn't just a great game. It's a game that sets an impossibly high new bar for how open-worlds can be handled. Its depiction of late 19th-century America feels both historically accurate yet abundantly open-ended, slow-paced and yet alive, grim and yet majestic. It makes the original Red Dead Redemption feel like a warm-up, the doodles on the page before the real thing has come to life.

Overall, Red Dead Redemption 2 is the perfect gaming experience, and what you were hoping for in the next iteration of the series. It has a rich story, deep gameplay, unrivaled visuals, and plenty of plains to explore.

What it comes down to is Rockstar’s intent to build a strongly realized and true to life facsimile of the 1890s — which they’ve done extraordinary well. So well, in fact, that I can’t ever go back to the first game anymore because I'm completely spoiled by this game’s offerings. Red Dead Redemption II is video game escapism at its finest and you’d be hard-pressed to find anything else this year that comes close to matching its accomplishments.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is, without a shred of doubt, a new masterpiece brought to us by Rockstar. The new entry by the company has managed to achieve excellence in gameplay, storytelling and technical aspects. In the end, Rockstar has been successful in pushing the franchise to its limits in order to create one of the most complete games of all time.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a shockingly amazing game. A big world, an intriguing story, relatable characters and an unparalleled scope for, may be, the best and biggest game of this generation of consoles thus far.

Rockstar Games has outdone itself again with Red Dead Redemption II. The up-close portrayal of the outlaw Van der Linde gang’s unraveling is a compelling companion story that blends seamlessly with the original game, and depth and breadth of the open world is a technical triumph that every gamer should experience.

The hype being created for Red Dead Redemption 2 and the expectations of the passionate fan-base made a part of me believe that Rockstar Games could never deliver on all of their many promises. They did, and then some. From the feeling of a realistic living world they've created to the emotional bonds you build, Red Dead Redemption 2 is the video game experience of this generation.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a landmark title for storytelling, open-world design, voice acting, and immersion in video games. It is certainly among the best games of this console generation, but that's not all. It should eventually go down as one of the greatest games of all-time.

RDRII is a masterpiece —a game everyone who even slightly enjoys video games should play. It is not very innovative, but it excels at everything it does, creating a world and characters that will remain with us for a long, long time.

Red Dead Redemption 2 redefines the open world genre. Arthur Morgan's journey through the late 1800s American frontier never reveals the stitches at its seams. Whether you're engaging in a massive shootout in a saloon or quietly enjoying a moment of reflection while fishing on a lake, it all feels like a part of Morgan's life. The level of detail is unsurpassed, and it's a game that wants you to take it slow and enjoy those small details. Rockstar took some risks in eliminating traditional gaming conveniences, but everything pays off in service of the greater experience. Red Dead Redemption 2 sets a new benchmark in detail, immersion, and cohesion that will be heralded for years to come. It's just about as perfect as a game can get.

Red Dead Redemption 2 not only lives up to expectations, but it smashes them and feels like the missing half of a story we never knew was incomplete. Improving on its predecessor in every way that counts, it also reignites interest in its landmark prequel, enhancing the overall experience to an epic scale and giving gamers an odyssey quite unlike any other.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a triumph in world-building, character craft and downright skulduggery. Being bad has never felt so good as Rockstar toe the realism line while still keeping their sharp, trademark tongue in cheek. It’s the keen attention to detail where Rockstar succeed and this outlaw prequel comfortably outperforms their best works and in time, I believe, will be regarded as a once in a generation game.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is Rockstar's best game, and it's gripping from start to finish. It sets a new bar for open world interaction, providing an absurd level of detail across the board. It's an immaculately polished release that pulls no punches in its delivery, pushing both brutally mature themes and perfectly placed satire. While its clumsy controls and convoluted button layouts can ruin the fun on occasion, it's easy enough to look past these flaws when everything else is of such a high quality. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a modern masterpiece.

An astounding triumph that will certainly stand above the pack this season, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a unique game about unique people. The writing, visuals, and gameplay combine to make an absolute standout of a title, one that has been well worth the wait.

A titanic videogame, a masterpiece that, like everything, will have passionate lovers and other players who will not get too caught up. Everything also depends on thematic genre and preferences. Maybe not everyone likes stories of 'Indians and cowboys'. But this interactive universe created by Rockstar tells a fantastically-constructed story and allows us to live a unique adventure. And for that reason, we believe that this production touches excellence. And for that, it establishes the first 10 in the history of IGN Spain. Good trip, cowboys!

Red Dead Redemption 2 is an absolute masterpiece, a true unique gaming experience. With its realistic and lifelike open world, Rockstar Games redefines what's possible in terms of interactive environment. Better yet, RDR2 is almost perfect on the technical standpoint with mesmerizing graphics, incredibly rich gameplay and one of the best stories ever written. An instant cult classic. [Actual score = 21/20, or 105]

Rockstar's eye for detail, presentation and tongue-in-cheek-storytelling makes this one an instant classic. Red Dead Redemption 2 is the ultimate Wild West sandbox-experience everyone has been waiting so very patiently for. It gives us more of everything we loved about the original and then takes it to a completely new level.

Whether I'm hunting a legendary animal, participating in a story mission, playing a game of poker, or just exploring the world I've absolutely adored every moment I've spent with the game. It more than fulfills every hope and desire I'd garnered as my anticipation for it grew over the last several years. The phenomenal narrative and performances are emotionally impactful, and the depth of interactivity embedded into the pristinely polished gameplay is nothing short of groundbreaking. Rockstar have outdone themselves with Red Dead Redemption 2 as it ushers in a new era of what the medium is capable of achieving. At this point, I can't wait to start again to explore a different playstyle and especially jump into Red Dead Online.

Criticisms often come easier than compliments, but in the case of Red Dead Redemption 2, I am at a loss. This is one of the most gorgeous, seamless, rootinest, tootinest games ever made, and if you voluntarily miss out on it, you’re either not a gamer or in a coma.

The astounding thing about RDR 2 is that there's not only a staggering amount of story, side quests, and places to explore but that it's all high quality and doesn't feel tacked on. The high level of craftsmanship in this game is evident in all its aspects, and it's genuinely one of the best games of this generation of gaming.

Rockstar delivers a masterpiece in every aspect. Its organic and evolving open world, characters, storyline and gameplay mechanics made us feel "free men". Red Dead Redemption 2 also brings the best technical elements of this generation.

Huge, technically incomparable and full of things to do: the Western epic from Rockstar Games manages to repeat the success of the first chapter, creating one of the most impressive video games of all time.

Red Dead Redemption 2 turned out better then we could ever have hoped for. Rockstar knows how to create a vast open world teeming with life, in which Arthur and the Van der Linde gang seek fortune and glory. A new standard for action adventure games has been established.

Whoever is willing to invest in this game will receive the biggest payoff this year could ever give. Rockstar deserves the ultimate respect for taking so many risks, that had no right to unfold as they did in the end. Once again Rockstar Games doesn't set the bar higher, but kicks it into a thousand pieces.

RDR2's start is slow, measured, but as the layers begin to unfold and the scope of the game's sandbox is known, you see just how impressive it all really is. This is easily a top candidate for one of the greatest open world RPGs of all time.

Rockstar has done a brilliant job blending an open-world game experience with the freedom of discovery and balancing that with the tightly woven narrative. Nearly 3,000 people are listed as contributors to the game. I don’t know if we’ll see the like of this again. Red Dead Redemption 2 is an amazing work of art.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is as much an experience as it is a game. It will completely immerse you in the Old West, giving you an understanding for what life was like during the end of the 19th Century and making you appreciate what it must feel like when your way of life is coming to an end in a changing world. Rockstar has outdone itself in creating such a rich and deep virtual world, and you'll love every minute that you spend exploring it.

It raises the bar in almost all areas to a new level, which will probably be impossible to beat for all competitors at least in this generation. Red Dead Redemption 2 is another rock star masterpiece and an example of what modern video games are capable of, both narrative and staged, but above all, technically capable. The best game for this console generation so far.

This game is not for everybody, but this is not the full simulator people might have expected. You can do that if you want, but you have a choice to just go through the sixty hour story. Whichever you may choose: take your time.

With its amazing open-world, well-written story and deep characters, Red Dead Redemption II is a roller-coaster full of emotions. Controls may feel a bit clunky at times, but still: this is a masterpiece.

The game is a fascinating study of a conflicted man who knows right from wrong, but doesn't always allow this knowledge to inform his decisions...He's a classic antihero: A bad man seemingly headed for tragedy who we nonetheless like, root for, and want to see make better choices.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is not just a great game, it's a digital artwork that completely blurs the line between movies and games with ground-breaking gameplay and storytelling, stunning images and an unprecedented living world with a lot to discover.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a story of endings and new beginnings, of the birth of legends and the consequences that come with creating a myth. It’s all wrapped up in an immaculate presentation, told over dozens of hours and adventures that leads to an inevitable conclusion: Red Dead Redemption 2 raises the bar for the sandbox genre and stands tall as the definitive western game of this or any other generation.

What a powerful outlaw opera! Visually and in terms of storytelling Rockstar exceeds all expectations. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a remarkable game that will be talked about and referenced for years to come.

Red Dead Redemption 2 offers epic missions, a large number of sub-missions, and high-quality dialogue that brims with originality and changes depending on how you play. It should be said that the emergent encounters feel contrived rather than truly random. However, a map that skillfully withholds information until the right time, layered status systems and gunfights filled with invention, the fusion of the Wanted system and the story, and the excellent storytelling and how this ties in to the previous game – all these elements are worthy of high praise.

While I’m slightly disappointed that a game reportedly containing 500,000 unique lines of dialogue still isn’t interested in telling a tight three-act story, RDR2 is without a doubt Rockstar’s best game to date. It offers their strongest cast of characters, their most detailed open world, and an appropriate pace to allow both to coexist. Rockstar more or less invented the modern sandbox game, and it’s a joy to see them finally breaking new ground again.

Just as the countless reviews for this cowboy simulator will pontificate on how Rockstar may have just created the most “alive” world of this generation, none of it should ignore that an actual team of human beings reportedly sacrificed and struggled to breathe life into it.

Both its triumphs and its failures live at grand extremes: maddening, beautiful and awesome. The game hits each every one of its moments with grace and force, whether they're bombastic gunfights or a small moment on a boat in a lake outside Blackwater. I'm leaving my playtime overwhelmed, emotional and drained in a way that I haven't quite felt since the original Red Dead Redemption.

Eight years after the masterpiece that was Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar Games is taking a second shot. New protagonist Arthur Morgan gets a better supporting cast, an absolutely beautiful open world with more visual variety, and a ton of things to kill or collect. There's some occasional tedium in travel, and a few bugs and annoyances, but nothing that prevents Red Dead Redemption 2 from being an excellent game.

It wouldn’t surprise me if I ended up spending 200 hours on a single save, then loading it back up in a few months to do it all again. Whether I’m chasing the thrill of a daring train robbery, or the serenity of a solo camping trip, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an open-world game I will return to time and time again.

Red Dead Redemption II is exactly the kind of game you'd expect from Rockstar. The open world is vast but filled with many things to do. The side missions are just as exciting as the main ones, and the minigames prove to be good distractions if you somehow start to get bored with any of the missions. The story is perhaps the strongest the studio has had in years, with loads of memorable characters and good pacing, and RDR2 does all of this with a top-notch presentation. For a game that many have said would easily be in the running for numerous end-of-year awards, RDR2 certainly makes a strong case for itself.

Few single-player experiences excel simultaneously at telling a deep and poignant story, whilst also providing the player with such a huge extent of freedom and possibility. The universe is exceedingly broad, varied, and beautiful, not to mention overflowing with interesting characters, wildlife, and things to do. The sense of polish and finer details really bring things together, along with the excellent musical score, fantastic voice acting and the title's intense and visceral cinematic qualities. Fans of the original Red Dead Redemption will be enamoured by the sequel. It doesn't just accentuate the West, but animates it on a new level, with a greater sense of life, community, and narrative. It's epic.

Rockstar has created the single most immersive Wild West game yet, with an intelligently-written story, a compelling core cast of characters, highly-engaging scenarios and a diverse open world to explore. The visuals are also truly stunning, with a substantial amount of detail put into each environment and character model, not to mention the extraordinary lighting techniques.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a gorgeous and enormous open world game that you can easily get immersed in while the hours tick away. Its amazing visuals, intricate world, and realistic cast of characters make it a must-have game for this generation.

Red Dead Redemption 2‘s attention to detail, engaging storytelling and beautiful graphics make it a must-play game. Despite some clunky control schemes and questionable new features, Red Dead Redemption 2 was a wonderful experience that offered a nice change of pace that separates itself from other open world games.

Red Dead Redemption II is a technical marvel, attempting to encapsulate one man’s story in the West. It succeeds in crafting an enrapturing world but not without some uncomfortable compromises. Buy it.

Red Dead 2 feels like a game that you can play for months and months. It's a world that is extremely easy to get lost in, wherein a masterful collection of details are all working together to trigger your senses into believing everything you see. There's no shortage of original, compelling gameplay to take part in and it goes without saying that no two playthroughs will look alike.

But there is a pulse pumping through this techno-artistic marvel. This game has heart; the kind of heart that is difficult to pin down but impossible to deny. It is a wonderful story about terrible people, and a vivacious, tremendously sad tribute to nature itself. There is so much beauty and joy in this expensive, exhausting thing. Somehow that makes it even more perfect—a breathtaking eulogy for a ruined world, created by, about, and for a society that ruined it.

This sequel makes both the first game and John Marston's overall story better and more meaningful. Red Dead Redemption 2 is at once a startling evolution of the Rockstar Games formula and everything a fan could hope for from a Red Dead Redemption sequel.

The game takes its time coming into focus, but when it does, it’s a remarkably sober, stately experience, telling a large story through measured interactions and a handful of rich but clearly defined systems.

As a game, Red Dead Redemption 2 is inspired and brilliant, as the product of a 60+ hour work week should be at bare minimum. As an overly detailed cowboy simulator, not so much. Fortunately, Red Dead is big enough for everybody, no matter their tastes or levels of patience. [Jimpressions]

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a brave prequel that isn’t afraid of taking risks. It is innovative, surprising, stunning, dramatic, and generous - a highlight of this generation and a benchmark for other open world games to aspire to.

You know if a game goes as far as detail to make you brew coffee via campfire before drinking it, or getting your weapons from a horse'sYou know if a game goes as far as detail to make you brew coffee via campfire before drinking it, or getting your weapons from a horse's satchel, or literally watching it's testicles shrink in cold weather, that this is game of the decade material.…

Too much hype for this one, but understandably so considering Rockstar's track record.
There is nothing in this game that can save it fromToo much hype for this one, but understandably so considering Rockstar's track record.
There is nothing in this game that can save it from the really slow and all around bad gun/gameplay.
I don't get it how big studios like Rockstar can screw up the most important part of a game, but I guess in this day and age it doesn't matter to people that much as long as the game looks good.
When you compare the gameplay to likes of God of War or Horizon Zero Dawn it's like night and day.
To me the gameplay is the most important part of a game, everything else comes after.
If I'm not having fun with the controls and gameplay it's game over.
But don't get me wrong, RDR2 is probably the best looking game I've ever played,
running through the night with only a lantern on your back and the moon bursting behind the clouds to light your way is surely a sight to be seen, but having said that; the facial animations are really not on par with the otherwise good looking details of the game.
Another really negative thing is the pacing of the game which really drags on and on and on and on.
All in all; if you can get over the slow and bad gameplay and the slow story progress buy it, if not, well go play something else like God of War.…

The story telling of the game is top notch and the atmosphere is great, but I bought this game after sinking tons of time into the originalThe story telling of the game is top notch and the atmosphere is great, but I bought this game after sinking tons of time into the original Red Dead so that was expected. What was not expected was just how completely awful the controls and mechanics of this game are. The gun fighting felt clunky and underdeveloped, gunfights without cover are pointless because the enemies demolish you, NPC's start fights with you and shoot if you accidentally get in their way on the road, the main character needs to play fetch and do chores after every mission, and the home camp is apparently completely incapable of doing anything for themselves. The worst part is that I will bet the cost of the game that once online comes out single player won't get a single update to fix the clear and present issues. As is, this game deserves nowhere near a 97 rating and it is pretty clear how and why it is getting that kind of rating.…